Trust Me - Get a Trainer - NOW!

I have never wanted to be good at something more than I want to be good at golf. So - this begs the question - if this statement is true, then how can I suck so bad? I take lessons. I put in the practice time on the range, the chipping area, and the putting green. I have not had the major break through I feel my work deserves...

Until Now!

If you have been following for a little while, then you know I have put a plan in place that I feel will get me where I want to be with golf. How did I arrive at this plan? How else? - following people on twitter.

Rickie Fowler is always with Coach Noss, Justin Rose is flying Justin Buckthorp to the Bahamas for a week of training, Christina Kim seems to be regularly sore from working with Andrea Doddato, and Jon Gidney is doing "the curls for the girls". Must be something to this training thing, or they wouldn't do it, right?

I shared a couple posts ago that I began working with Mark McCoy in Apopka, Florida on both physical and nutritional training. Mark is a former professional hockey player, and he focuses on training your core.

I have been working with Mark for a little over a month. This time and focus has yielded a bigger improvement in my game than anything else to date. If I did not have a great PGA Professional Instructor, then these improvements would not be helping to the extent they are, so I don't want to slight the importance of professional golf instruction; however, my improvements over the past month are nothing less than astounding(to me anyway).

My biggest challenge has been distance. A 180-210 yard driver and a 6 iron that did not go much more than 135-140 yards, made it very difficult to come into a green on the second shot. Forget it if the green was protected by a trap where I had to fly it in and stop it. My short game and putting got decent, because if it didn't, my scores would have been 110-120.

Why am I so excited about the results of this physical training?

I have had to lose 2-3 clubs, due to yardage, in the past 3-4 weeks!

My 7 iron is now going 155-160 yards. 6 weeks ago I would have had to hit a 4 hybrid to achieve the same distance. My drives have ranged from 235 up to 299. I can finally hit it long enough that when I miss - I can actually get into trouble - funny how I see that as a victory. Now I understand why people need different wedges, since the distance on my pitching wedge has jumped 30 yards to 120-125 which used to be a 7 or 8 depending on wind.

I had my best round of golf ever today! It was not my lowest score - but it was my best round. I shot an 89. The score reflects my mental collapse that resulted in triples on both 17 and 18. My mind wandered to the glory of shooting an 82/83 rather than focusing on each shot to get there. I started out the back nine with 4 pars and 3 bogeys.

My game today was a driver and an iron to the green. Made such a difference. By the way - one day does not a pattern make - but this started 2-3 weeks ago. I have played a round of golf for each of the last three days, and I have had the same results. Today was the first day I was able to adjust to the new distances.

Struggling with your distances? Already working with a PGA Professional? - then I highly suggest giving core training a try.

Want to learn more - here are some folks to follow on twitter - they tweet great articles and blogs about physical training:

@JustinBuckthorp
@CoachNoss
@ShapeandSport
@CoachJoeyD

Seems to me the below goals I set forth in January are well on their way to being met for the year:

• Improve physical flexibility for better execution of golf swing
• Improve nutrition and lose 35 lbs for better stamina during rounds (lost 10 pounds so far)

Now - did I mention the mental collapse on 17 and 18 that cost me 5-6 strokes? That's this goal:

• Understand how the mind effects your golf game

Looks like I will be looking into the above goal really soon!

But until then - long and straight!

Twitter - A Golf Fan Generator!

Does anyone else love twitter as much as I do?

There is nothing that has linked my emotions to golf, and golfers, more than this miracle of social networking.

When I bought my first set of golf clubs two years ago at the age of 42 - my knowledge of golf was Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and of course, Tiger Woods. I did check out of a hotel once in Phoenix several years ago, and Arnold Palmer was checking out next to me, but other than that - the closest I got to a golf tournament was carrying my brother's bag once when I was in my early 20's at a local club championship.

I bought my first i-phone at about the same time I bought my first set of golf clubs. I had a friend who was updating his facebook status from twitter, so I decided to give twitter a try. Well, guess what? I quickly figured out that twitter is about as fun as watching paint dry if you don't actually follow anyone.

I saw someone named Rory McIlroy in a footjoy ad, so I decided to see if he was on twitter. The next thing I know I am looking at pictures of Rory sitting in his kitchen showing the world that he had to bandage his fingers. Really? - I just have to follow this golf phenom, and he will let me into his world - his home? Holy crap!

I see an ad in Orlando on tv about a contest to play golf with Ian Poulter - hmmm...wonder if he's on Twitter. Soon after I follow Ian, I am being treated to snapshots of his home, closet organization, his garage, the numerous golf bags he has, and his trips to Starbucks. I tried to convert him to visit the coffee company that employs me, and we have a location near him in Lake Nona, but to no avail - alas, maybe he just didn't tell me he converted :-).

I continued to play golf regularly and talk all the time about what different golfers are doing. Hey - Ian Poulter just got a Labradoodle. John Daly is mad at some reporter and wants me to call the reporter's cell number and tell him to *&^% off. Stewart Cink just had BBQ for dinner and his kid isn't feeling well - but may have outgrown the batman mural at the pediatricians office. The boys from Lake Nona just took a chopper to Isleworth for the Tavistock cup. I know more about what these guys are doing than I do about my own family - with updates in real time!

And then it happened!

I was following a couple guys named Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler - didn't know much about them at the time, so to speak, but I knew Bubba had lobbyed to be on Ellen. After seeing videos of Ricky and Bubba pushing each other around in grocery carts in a parking lot - I sent a tweet "mentioning" them and thanking them for sharing the fun. I had tweeted many times mentioning golfers I followed without any response, so I was not expecting anything. I checked my twitter about five minutes later for anymore Bubba/Ricky videos - and there it was - I had a mention - I clicked on the mention and it was from BUBBA WATSON - it said "ur welcome". Are you kidding me? Bubba Watson had just sent me a message! I'm showing my friends, texting my golf instructor, and bouncing around the house on quite a high. A PGA Tour golfer had just taken the time to respond to my tweet personally. Ian Poulter quickly slid to number 2, as he has never responded to a tweet of mine(of course he has over a million followers and is rather busy, but hey - it's all about me), and Bubba had just taken Ian's place as twitter world number one in my book!

McIlroy was one of my first follows and he had gone rather quiet - when I realized he was no longer tweeting I decided to try to enlist Rickie and Bubba to get him back on. I tweeted to them - hey - if you talk to Rory this week- tell him to get back on twitter. Before the end of the tournament - Rory had opened up a new twitter account and was tweeting again. Not saying it was me that got him back on twitter, but in my mind, I did - hahaha.

I also follow a golfer aspiring to be on the Europen Tour - he was the first person to follow me on twitter that I did not know. He must have gotten my name off Rory's follower list. I gave him a follow back, and if you want to follow a dynamic individual who you will want to route for- follow Jon - @jgidney.

It has been amazingly educational for me, being new to golf, to follow Jon as he turned pro on the mini tours over in Europe. He tweeted about his first year on these tours, and it gave an incredible insight into how much work and perseverance it takes to continue to follow your goal of making the European Tour. I emailed him a few times to ask about things like Q-School, The Challenge Tour,(had no idea what they were), and he graciously answered. He also came up with a great way to earn money to support his quest for a tour card - Club Gidney - Check it out at jonathangidney.com - offers you value in return for a very minimal fee that goes to supporting his upcoming season. I happily opened a paypal account and sent him my 10pound a month for his golf tips.

I also have had the pleasure of watching as the golf press has started to embrace twitter like I have. Saw a tweet once from a golf journalist - can't remember the name -but the jist was - hard to get an original story when you are being scooped by the players themselves on twitter! An example - I saw Lee Westwood's rant about Rory McIlroy not winning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in real time, and later it got lot's of play in the press. I can relate to Lee as I have a filter issue as well :-)

The golf news programs now report on tweets for those who don't follow twitter. This demonstrates that the tweets are quickly becoming a steady source for interesting news. Live accounts with out a publicist filtering.

If you aren't using twitter to follow golf - then I highly suggest it. Here are a few folks that are active "tweeters"/worth a follow(* means they have responded) I'll Bold my favorites:

@jgidney *- @ianjamespoulter - @pga_johndaly - @rickiefowlerpga - @bubbawatson * - @graeme_mcdowell - @krisjonesgolf * - @stu1hemming * - @golfchannel * - @stewartcink - @mcilroyrory - @amgolfmindcoach * - @willfoxgolf * - @johnraser * - @jackawallace * - @scottwalkerontv * - @adamsmg * - @justinrose99 - @thechristinakim * - @westwoodlee - @clubgidney - @kellytilghman - @adampetersgolf *- @jamielovemark *

Let's face it - the PGA Tour, the players, the equipment companies, and golf itself are all in the business of building their brand. Connecting with your customer in a fun and engaging way is a great way to do that. Twitter makes it possible for fans and consumers to feel like they have a personal relationship anyone or company they follow.

I truly believe that Golf owes its' growing ratings - and a big thank you - to Twitter for the loyalty of this consumer - and probably many more.

Love to hear your thoughts - until then - long and straight!

No Deep Thoughts - Just Updates

Greens(Golf)
Earlier in the year I called out several goals for my golf game.

Place Top 3 in a Golf Channel Amateur Tour Major Event
I have planned my schedule for the year. I intend to participate in at least 5 majors this Season:

• December - Winter Championship - Grand Cypress - Orlando, FL - Placed 8th
• April - Midwest Classic - TPC Deere Run - Silvis, IL
• June - Championship at PGA National - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
• July - TPC Sawgrass Open - Ponta Vedra, FL
• August - Greenbrier Open - White Sulphur Springs, WV

If I place top 3 in any of these, or win my flight in Orlando, then I qualify for the National Championship at PGA West in September.

Shave 5-7 Strokes off my game and Break 80 at least once this year

• Practice has been difficult due to work schedule - however, shot a 41 on the back 9 at Black Bear in Eustis, FL this past weekend. One of my lowest 9's. Rolled in a couple birdies from 30 plus feet.
• Handicap has actually jumped up to 20.3 from 20.0. I had a couple bad tournament rounds with 2 blow up holes in each round. Shot a 103 at Juliette Falls while carding a 10 and a 12. Just need to grow from 16 great holes to 18 great holes.

Improve physical flexibility for better execution of golf swing - Improve Nutrition and lose 35 pounds for better stamina during rounds

• I have started working with Mark McCoy. He is a personal trainer in Apopka, FL. Mark is working with me on physical training and nutrition.
• I am 5 sessions in, and I have found that my prior 3 times per week gym visits have been fairly useless with regards to golf. How do I know this - Some of the items he has me doing cause my muscles to seize up instantly. Great to target the correct areas to maximize my range of motion - I see great value in this effort.
• I have started a nutrition regimen that will get my metabolism flying - toughest part - eating enough and drinking enough water. My kidneys are sure getting a workout.

Grapes(Wine) and Grub(Food)
I recently dined at Jack's Steakhouse in Baldwin Park. Baldwin Park is a planned neighborhood on the east side of Orlando - I believe it is the site of a former military base. I could find multiple things to do - including visiting Caddyshanks - which is a golf bar - gotta visit.

Jack's was a good experience in spite of itself. My thought is that they are having a little financial issue - why - the place was not full - and the waiter approached the table to let me know that they were out of filet mignon and lamb - (keep in mind this is a steakhouse). The person I was dining with ordered a beer and the response was, "we do not have much beer tonight" - so - not a lot of seats full and low inventory = concern for viability. Remember - I earn my living as a restaurant consultant.

The server seemed to be pushing us to eat very quickly, and we had to pace him. We were having a business meeting over the course of the evening and had no need to rush. He adapted to our understanding of pace and the evening got better.

I made a great choice with the wine - cabernet - Cult - It was on the list between Frog's Leap and the cheap stuff. I always know when the wine pours and it is a dark red color - that I will enjoy it.

My business associate lives in the area and frequents Jack's, but he usually sits at the bar. He tipped me off to an off the menu steak salad - it was prepared to perfection (normally made with filet(note earlier) - so made with ny strip on this visit- I would order this dish again. I also had a carpaccio appetizer, and it competed with any other carpaccio I have had.

So - to summarize - Great Wine - Good Food - Okay service - earns a repeat visit - I might even make it a destination - but it certainly would not get my veto if someone suggested dining there.

Upcoming Thoughts
I am formulating my thoughts on the recent trend of calling in violations and golfers being dq'd. I am going to provide my opinion on that - I tried to call about Bill Buckner's little mishap in 86 but that decision still stands :-(

I also am going to chime in on this whole twitter thing. The wall street journal and golf channel have done stories on golf and twitter - the great thing is that I have lived it over the past couple years - you will get the thoughts from a fan's perspective.

Did I mention that I am in the 95th percentile for Fantasy Golf - and it seems Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, and Vaughn Taylor need to come through for me this weekend in Phoenix. Troy Merritt looks like he will miss the cut - so - only three going into the weekend for me.

Until next time - long and straight!